natty_dread wrote:PLAYER57832 wrote:Participation trophies are appropriate in the Special Olympics, because just going to the competition and participatin IS an acheivement.
So what you're saying is, disabled people should be treated differently than abled people?
I think it has to do with the perspective of the Special Olympian. I work with them an awful lot through our AFJROTC community service programs, and they typically are what I consider to be the most Christ-like individuals I've ever met. Just having fun IS 90% of the deal for most of them. In that scenario, I don't think it is a problem at all to treat them differently with participation awards which DO provide motivation for them whereas for most people, participation awards have negative effects. So I guess to answer your question...in some scenarios, yes...it IS appropriate to treat them differently.
